US to re-write bank loan rules as lending continues to drop; North and South Korea in tense meeting today; Thais look to amend constitution; Israel pulls ambassador; and more
Read MoreSuper Fund wary of 40% home country bias: OIA
While the government wants the New Zealand Super Fund to invest 40% of its money in New Zealand, the Guardians' seem to pour cold water on the idea in their previously confidential briefing to Bill English
Read MoreAfghanistan – Our call-up papers arrive
World News Brief, Friday April 17
Indians go to the polls today, plus a backgrounder on India's political system; After 10 years Russia ends fight in Chechnya; China's GDP growth lowest on record; and more
Read MoreHavana good time... but what next for Cuba?
Fidel Castro has survived many US Presidents, and a trip to Cuba suggests he may outlive the Cold War as well as Obama re-thinks 50 years of failed sanctions
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 16
Barack Obama talks up US economy but newspapers report "continued fragility"; South Korea employment falls further; Thai police go after red-shirt leaders; Russia's Medvedev gives first interview; and more
Read MoreSquawking seagulls, lunatics, and lone sheep
Debate quickly degenerated into abuse as the steam started rising over the Government’s bklitzkreig plan to unite
World News Brief, Wednesday April 15
Pakistan commits to Islamic law in Swat valley as Taliban grows in Punjab; Thai protests subside; North Korea threatens to quit Six-Party talks; US changes Iran policy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 14
Thai military clash with red-shirts; China plans ASEAN investment fund; Sri Lankan truce allows civilians to flee; Moldovan election recount; and more
Read MoreGetting Tied Up in Knots Over a Plastic Bag Tax
John Key shot down Nick Smith's idea of a plastic bag tax, much to the delight of the citizens of Palmerston North. But should he have given it a bit more thought?
Read MoreDecisions, dissent and the myths of collective cabinet responsibility
Pita Sharples attack on the Government's decision to drop Maori seats from Auckland's supercity proposals probably breached collective cabinet responsibility. So what?
Read MoreThe little gardener
Once upon a time, wrote Oscar Wilde, there lived little Hans the miller’s friend. Hans lived in a tiny cottage all by himself and worked in his garden every day—like the heroine of this story
Read MoreKiwi jobs for Kiwi workers
Sadly, New Zealand unions are delivering the same rhetoric as nationalist political parties worldwide
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 9
US seeks Indian support for "Af-Pak" strategy; Thaksin protests in Bangkok intensify; Somali pirates are back; Moldova expels Romanian ambassador; and more
Read MoreSuper City - or Super Mess
Central Government is speeding into the stormy waters of local government in
Celebrating New Zealand science books
The Royal Society of New Zealand recently announced five finalists for their inaugural Science Book Prize
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 8
US to cut war spending, "direct challenge to military-industrial complex"; China urges restraint towards North Korea; Thai protestors trap PM in hotel; Raul Castro meets US lawmakers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 7
Obama meets Turkish president; Russia and China wary of protesting N Korea rocket launch; what's behind protests in Thai capital; Baghdad bombings; and more
Read MoreTwo-and-a-bit cheers for National's review of electoral finance law
It's not exactly what I would have done, but National's process for reviewing electoral finance laws is largely to be commended
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday April 3
G20 summit addresses free trade and IMF; G2 emerges from US-China meeting; Anti-govt protests in Bangkok enter second week; European Central Bank to cut interest rates; and more
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